The right sleeping bag size – how to find the right sleeping bag
Choosing the right sleeping bag size is crucial for a restful night's sleep when camping, hiking, or trekking. Anyone who sleeps better is more refreshed for the next day. In short, good sleep is key to recovery and performance – especially on demanding outdoor trips. A sleeping bag that's too tight can lead to restless sleep , even if it's not particularly cold. This noticeably impairs recovery. While this might not matter much on a short trip, it can be decisive on a longer trekking tour.
Calculating sleeping bag size – here's how to do it right
Unfortunately, sleeping bag size is often underestimated when buying a sleeping bag – many people choose a model that is too small. This leads to heat loss, cold spots, and poor sleep quality.
A sleeping bag should fit your body type – slightly too big is always better than too small . For this reason, we cut our sleeping bags a bit more generously compared to international standards. You can find out why in the background information section below.
A well-fitting sleeping bag should be sized so that neither your head nor your feet touch the inside. Otherwise, cold spots will occur, leading to noticeable heat loss.
Please note: When lying down, your feet are no longer bent. This makes you about 15 cm taller when lying down than when standing.
Our recommendation for calculating sleeping bag size:
Body height + at least 25–30 cm = inner length of the sleeping bag
How do I know if the sleeping bag size fits?
- You are lying stretched out and have some space at the head and foot ends.
- Du does not touch the inside of the sleeping bag.
- You can turn around, without compressing the filling.
- As a side sleeper, the sleeping bag should Do not tense the shoulder area.
Size chart Grüezi bag mummy sleeping bags
DownWool®- and synthetic sleeping bags
| Size specification | Regular | Long | Extra Long |
|---|---|---|---|
| inside length | 200 cm | 215 cm | 230 cm |
| Shoulder width | 77 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| foot width | 50 cm | 50 cm | 60 cm |
| Recommended height | up to approx. 175 cm | up to approx. 185 cm | up to approx. 200 cm |
AlmWolle sleeping bags
| Size specification | Long | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| inside length | 215 cm | 230 cm | |
| Shoulder width | 78 cm | 85 cm | |
| foot width | 50 cm | 60 cm | |
| Recommended height | up to approx. 185 cm | up to approx. 200 cm |
DownWool Hybrid Winter & Expedition Sleeping Bags
| Size specification | 180 wide | 190 wide | 200 wide |
|---|---|---|---|
| inside length | 203 cm | 215 cm | 230 cm |
| Shoulder width | 82 cm | 87 cm | 90 cm |
| foot width | 52 cm | 53 cm | 60 cm |
| Recommended height | up to approx. 180 cm | up to approx. 190 cm | up to approx. 200 cm |
Background knowledge:
How EN temperature values are determined
The EN temperature ratings (T-Comf., T-Lim., T-Ext.) are determined through a standardized test: A dummy equipped with temperature sensors—wearing long underwear and a hat—is placed in the sleeping bag and heated. The rate at which its temperature drops is then measured.
Since the doll does not move , tighter sleeping bags perform better in this test than looser ones – although people do move in reality, of course.
Why a larger sleeping bag size is often better
A looser-fitting sleeping bag offers greater comfort and warmth. The added freedom of movement reduces cold spots, increasing well-being and improving sleep quality.
Cold spots occur when the sleeping bag is too tight or too short. This causes the outer fabric to stretch, compresses the insulation, and reduces heat retention – especially in the shoulder area for side sleepers.
A tight-fitting sleeping bag feels warm quickly, but the warm air escapes when you move. A looser-fitting model retains the warm air—a clear advantage not taken into account by the EN standard.
Naturally, a larger sleeping bag is somewhat heavier and bulkier. However, especially with winter and expedition sleeping bags for temperatures below -5 °C, the advantages of a longer and wider cut clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
Our advice:
Test the sleeping bag size before buying! You'll immediately feel whether the sleeping bag fits or is too tight. This significantly reduces the risk of buying the wrong bag and ending up with cold nights.
